Next Steps on Taxi Inquiry

Western Cape Minister for Community Safety Leonard Ramatlakane and Minister of Public Works and Transport Marius Fransman addressed the media on 13 September 2005 on recommendations contained in a report on investigation (Inquiry) into the Cape Flats Taxi industry.

The report was handed to Premier Ebrahim Rasool by the Commission chairperson Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza last week.

One of the recommendations was formation of a Multi- Disciplinary Investigative unit that will launch further investigation into incidents that plunged the taxi industry into violence and criminality.

Minister Ramatlakane said: "Because of the seriousness and importance of the issues raised in the Taxi Inquiry report, we have decided that the most senior managers and Heads of the agencies will be part of the Multi- Disciplinary Investigative Unit, " said Minister Ramatlakane.

"Deputy Provincial Commissioner Mfazi of the South African Police Services will lead the Multi-Disciplinary Investigative Unit and he will put resources, be it manpower or otherwise, if ensuring that this work is performed to the latter. This team will immediately work on confidential information that was passed on to the Premier and not contained in the Taxi Inquiry report."

Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Nollie Niehaus will work with Dep. Commissioner Mfazi who will be backed up by the South African Revenue Services and the National Intelligence Agency.

Minister Ramatlakane also responded to reports in the report on the allegations of CATA and CODETA patrolling the N1 and N2 with impunity.

"We have agreed to put together an integrated Provincial team which will be led by Deputy Provincial Commissioner Glen Schooling including the City of Cape Town who will be represented by Deputy Police chief Mr Mfeketho. From the Provincial traffic, we are deploying Pat Curran who will focus on patrolling and violation incidents on these roads.

He will be assisted by Provincial Traffic Mr. Pat Curran will work on patrolling and violation incidents.

Minister Ramatlakane added that, "I have the strongest confidence that this Multi- disciplinary investigative unit will do what is required of them and that they will deliver."